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Journalism of Courage
RAJKOT, Oct 11: Farmers of the Saurashtra and Kutch regions have decided to stop the auction of groundnut at the market yards in protest against restrictions imposed on export of groundnut and groundnut oil outside the state. They argue that due to restrictions they are not getting the reasonable prices for their products.
Market sources also told The Indian Express that oil millers are also supporting the farmers in their protest. They also said farmers in Kodinar, Savar Kundla, Amreli, Kalavad, Jamnagar, Bagasara Junagadh have also supported the agitation.
However, Gondal market yard chairman Ramesh Dhaduk has in a separate statement said that the Gondal was not to join the agitation, and that auctions would continue as usual.
8220;We have not supported the movement started under the leadership of Shamji Khunt, as this agitation is against the interest of farmers. At present farmers are getting higher price for groundnut but once the restrictions are removed, there will be open competition and prices will come down, as the outlook for groundnut crop is very good here,8221; he stated.
In reply to question about Gondal market yard, Shamji Khunt said that though Gondal market yard chairman or representatives had not attended the meeting held on September 13, Dhaduk had given written assurance that they would agree with whatever decision would be taken at the meeting. 8220;He has changed his stance later,8221; said Khunt.
Khunt further alleged that the government had appointed the Gondal market yard chairman president of Agriculture Products Market Board, and therefore, he had now changed his attitude.
Khunt also claimed that farmer leaders in the Gondal rural areas had contacted him and assured him of support. They would persuade farmers not to move groundnut to the Gondal yard, and hence prevent auctioning.
On the other hand, Gondal market yard vice-chairman Kanak Singh Jadeja, Batukbhai Savalia, and others have appealed to the farmers not to be influenced by the talk of those supporting the strike.
They are asking the farmers to bring as much groundnut as possible to the yard and earn profits.
At present new arrival of groundnut is gaining momentum: about one lakh bags of groundnut are brought to each of the yards in the Saurashtra region. The strike, if it works, may hamper the arrivals, and may push up the price of the commodity.
Oil mills that have not begun crushing for this season, will do so from Dhanteras, and there will be great demand for groundnut. The strike could push up the price, given such a situation.
Farmers, too, want cash for Diwali, and are trying to sell what groundnut stocks they have.
